How to get a Vietnam visa for Chinese citizens: A step-by-step guide

What Chinese citizens should notice about Vietnam visa requirements?

Vietnam is a beautiful country located in Southeast Asia, known for its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and delicious cuisine. It has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. If you are a Chinese citizen planning to visit Vietnam, you will need to obtain a visa before your trip.

The process of obtaining a Vietnam visa for Chinese citizens is relatively straightforward. There are two main ways to apply for a Vietnam visa: through the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in China, or online through a reputable visa agency.

Chinese citizens must have a valid visa to enter Vietnam. There are two ways to apply for a visa:

  • Vietnam eVisa: Chinese citizens can apply for an eVisa online, which is valid for single or multiple entries and up to 90 days. To apply for an eVisa, you will need a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining, a soft copy of your passport bio-data page, and a soft copy of your portrait photo. You will also need to provide an email address and credit or debit card to pay the visa fee.
  • Visa on arrival: Chinese citizens can also obtain a visa on arrival at certain international airports in Vietnam. However, this option is more expensive and time-consuming than the eVisa. To obtain a visa on arrival, you will need a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining, two passport photos, and the visa stamping fee in US dollars.

If you have any questions about Vietnam visa requirements, you can contact the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your home country.

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Do Chinese citizens need a visa to visit Vietnam?

Unfortunately, China is not on the Vietnam Exemption list so a visa is required for them to visit Vietnam. There are 2 options that Chinese nationals may have: Getting a Vietnam visa by visiting the Vietnam embassy in China or applying online for a visa on arrival to Vietnam from China.

According to the current Vietnam Law,  Vietnam has an exemption list that some countries do not need a visa to enter. If you are not a Chinese citizens but live in China, please look up the list below to see whether your nationality requires a Vietnam visa or not.

List of countries exempt from the visa to enter Vietnam

What Chinese citizens should notice about Vietnam visa requirements?

Effective from August 15, 2023, citizens holding regular passports from the following 25 countries are granted visa-free access to Vietnam:

  • Chile (90 days)
  • Panama (90 days)
  • Cambodia (30 days)
  • Indonesia (30 days)
  • Kyrgyzstan (30 days)
  • Laos (30 days)
  • Malaysia (30 days)
  • Myanmar (30 days)
  • Philippines (30 days)
  • Singapore (30 days)
  • Thailand (30 days)
  • Brunei (14 days)
  • Japan (15 days)
  • South Korea (15 days)
  • Belarus (15 days)
  • Bulgaria (15 days)
  • Denmark (15 days)
  • Finland (15 days)
  • France (15 days)
  • Germany (15 days)
  • Greece (15 days)
  • Hungary (15 days)
  • Italy (15 days)
  • Norway (15 days)
  • Russia (15 days)
  • Spain (15 days)
  • Sweden (15 days)
  • United Kingdom (15 days)

Important notes:

  • The maximum visa-free duration for each country is listed above.
  • Visa-free entry is only valid for regular passport holders. Diplomatic and official passport holders are subject to different visa regulations.
  • Visa-free entry is for tourism purposes only. Visitors who intend to work, study, or reside in Vietnam must apply for a visa in advance.
  • Visitors must have a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond the intended date of departure from Vietnam.
  • Visitors must have a return ticket or proof of onward travel.

How to apply for a Vietnam visa:

If you are not a citizen of a visa-exempt country, or if you intend to stay in Vietnam for longer than the visa-free period, you must apply for a visa in advance. There are two ways to apply for a Vietnam visa:

  • Visa on arrival: This is the most convenient option for most travelers. You can apply for a visa on arrival at any of Vietnam’s international airports. However, you must have a pre-approved visa letter from a licensed Vietnamese travel agency before you travel.
  • E-visa: This is a new option that was introduced in August 2023. You can apply for an e-visa online and receive it electronically. E-visas are valid for single or multiple entries and for a period of 30 or 90 days.

For more information on Vietnam visa requirements and how to apply, please visit the website of the Vietnamese Immigration Department.

What Chinese citizens should notice about Vietnam visa requirements?

An application for a Vietnam visa on Arrival via Vietnam visa agencies that work in hand with the immigration department of Vietnam. This new visa-on-arrival policy has also significantly eased and streamlined the entire process, in the new process very little or almost no paperwork is required and the process is also considerably faster in comparison to the erstwhile process. The process usually begins with the selection of an agency that can process the visa application form for you. These agencies are mandated and contracted by the Immigration Department and hence they need to be registered and recognized, so ensure that they do have all the necessary permissions before you share your sensitive personal data with them.

You can choose one of the above two options when seeking a visa to Vietnam as a Chinese citizen at your convenience.

Applying Vietnam visa on Arrival, you can get your Vietnam visa in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Macau, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Chongqing or any cities in China. Let’s apply visa at visaonlinevietnam.com!

Documents Requirement For Chinese Passport Holders

Both applicants of the Vietnam visa by direct application at the embassy and those who apply for the Vietnam visa online through agents’ websites are required to meet the following standards:

  • Must have a valid passport you acquired over six months ago
  • Must have two most recent passport photos at hand, that aren’t any older than six months.
  • The letter of approval you present must present information that matches that in your passport.

What Chinese citizens should notice about Vietnam visa requirements?

Vietnam Visa Requirements for Chinese citizens: Work Permit

Chinese passport holders are now in Vietnam for working purposes so much. You know, if Chinese nationals want to work in Vietnam for a long time, they can not apply for a tourism Vietnam Visa, they need a Visa to work, and this is also permission that allows them to work in Vietnam.

Are Chinese citizens eligible to apply Vietnam e-Visa?

About Vietnam visa requirements for Chinese nationals, there are something to be noted:

  1. A person who does not have a Company in Vietnam agreed to a guarantee, please let Visa Agent know so they can handle trade visa instead.
  2. The dossier set submitted to apply for Visa is irrevocable so at that time travelers must still pay fee as normal
  3. In case Visa cannot be obtained by visa agent’s fault, they will redo or correct free of charge or refund as required by passenger
  4. When obtaining Visa, applicants can travel by air or road or waterway from China or from other countries to Vietnam.

Vietnam visa extension for Chinese citizens

What Chinese citizens should notice about Vietnam visa requirements?

Vietnam Visa Extension for Chinese Citizens

Vietnam visa extension is a process by which Chinese citizens can extend their stay in Vietnam beyond the validity of their original visa. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as needing more time to travel, visit family or friends, or conduct business.

There are two main ways to extend a Vietnam visa:

  • Through the Vietnamese Immigration Department: This is the official way to extend a visa, and can be done at any immigration office in Vietnam. However, it is a complex and time-consuming process, and requires a number of documents, including:
    • A valid passport
    • The original visa
    • A visa extension application form
    • A letter explaining why the visa extension is needed
    • A fee
  • Through a visa agent: There are a number of visa agents in Vietnam who can help Chinese citizens extend their visas. This is a more convenient and straightforward process, but it is also more expensive.

How to apply for a Vietnam visa extension through the Vietnamese Immigration Department:

  1. Go to the nearest Vietnamese immigration office and collect a visa extension application form.
  2. Fill out the form completely and accurately.
  3. Attach the required documents, including your passport, visa, and letter of explanation.
  4. Pay the visa extension fee.
  5. Submit your application and wait for a decision.

The processing time for a visa extension can vary depending on the number of applications being processed. However, it is generally advisable to apply for an extension at least two weeks before your current visa expires.

How to apply for a Vietnam visa extension through a visa agent:

  1. Contact a visa agent and explain your situation.
  2. The agent will provide you with a list of the required documents and fees.
  3. Submit the documents and fees to the agent.
  4. The agent will process your application and submit it to the Vietnamese Immigration Department on your behalf.
  5. Once your application is approved, the agent will pick up your visa and deliver it to you.

It is important to note that there is no guarantee that your visa extension application will be approved. The Vietnamese Immigration Department has the right to refuse any application for any reason.

Additional information:

  • Chinese citizens can extend their Vietnam visa for up to 90 days at a time.
  • The maximum length of stay in Vietnam on a tourist visa is 180 days per year.
  • It is not possible to extend a Vietnam e-visa.

If you have any questions about extending your Vietnam visa, please contact the Vietnamese Immigration Department or a visa agent.

Tips for Emergency Vietnam Visa for Chinese Citizens in 2023

If you are a Chinese citizen and need an emergency Vietnam visa, there are a few things you can do to expedite the process:

  1. Apply for a Vietnam e-visa. Vietnam e-visas are available to citizens of many countries, including China. The application process is quick and easy, and you can receive your visa approval letter within a few hours. However, it is important to note that Vietnam e-visas are only valid for 30 days, so they are not ideal for longer stays.
  2. Use a visa on arrival service. Visa on arrival is another option for Chinese citizens who need an emergency Vietnam visa. However, this option is only available to travelers who arrive in Vietnam by air. To use visa on arrival, you will need to obtain a visa approval letter in advance. You can do this through a travel agent or visa service company.
  3. Contact the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in China. If you are unable to obtain a Vietnam e-visa or visa on arrival, you can contact the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in China to apply for a visa in person. This process is typically longer, but it is still possible to obtain a visa within a few days if necessary.

Here are some additional tips for getting an emergency Vietnam visa:

  • Be prepared to provide all of the required documentation. This includes your passport, passport-sized photos, and visa approval letter (if applicable).
  • Pay the visa fee in advance. This will help to expedite the processing of your visa application.
  • Be prepared to answer questions about your travel plans. The visa officer will want to know why you need an emergency visa and how long you plan to stay in Vietnam.
  • Be polite and respectful. This will increase your chances of getting your visa approved.

Here are some additional tips that may be helpful:

  • Use a reputable visa service company. If you are using a visa service company, make sure that they are accredited and have a good track record.
  • Apply for your visa as early as possible. Even if you are applying for an emergency visa, it is best to apply as early as possible to avoid any delays.
  • Have a backup plan. If you are unable to obtain an emergency Vietnam visa, have a backup plan in place. This may involve changing your travel plans or contacting your airline or travel agent for assistance.

I hope this information is helpful. Good luck with your travel plans!